Tools

Ben Folds with the NC Symphony

Though Ben Folds Five reunited to record an album this year, the celebrated piano rock trio's revival hasn't slowed its quirky and prolific frontman from tackling an array of projects. Beyond Folds' three solo studio LPs—which lean slightly more mature and poppy than his work with the Five—and an assortment of EPs and live recordings, he's written arrangements to accompany the lyrics of novelist Nick Hornby, produced a compilation of a cappella covers of his own work, served as a judge on NBC's The Sing-Off, continued his infamous collaboration with William Shatner and formed the one-off supergroup 8in8 with OK Go's Damian Kulash, The Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer and author Neil Gaiman.

After working with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra on two concerts recorded for DVD release in 2005, Folds began hooking up with symphonies in the U.S and in Australia for special string-aided sets. These orchestra gigs are now almost expected from Folds: This pair of performances—each promising unique selections—marks his second appearance with the North Carolina Symphony since in 2010. Tickets are $37–$79, with performances beginning at 8 p.m. tonight and Friday. —Spencer Griffith